Cost of Living Comparison Between Burkina Faso and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Burkina Faso and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $614 per month in Burkina Faso vs $2,626 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,013 per month in Burkina Faso vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,411 per month in Burkina Faso vs $5,033 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Burkina Faso is roughly 77% lower than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Burkina Faso sits 55% below the global median, while United States is 90% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.72 F CFA 4,365
$19.83 $19.83
-61.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.78 F CFA 15.1K
$78.8 $78.8
-66.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.35 F CFA 4,150
$12.19 $12.19
-39.70%
Cappuccino
$2.04 F CFA 1,152
$5.59 $5.59
-63.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14 F CFA 642
$2.78 $2.78
-58.99%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14 F CFA 643
$2.18 $2.18
-47.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.22 F CFA 687
$5.86 $5.86
-79.18%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 F CFA 1,541
$8.02 $8.02
-65.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.13 F CFA 1,205
$1.07 $1.07
99.07%
White Bread (500g)
$1.16 F CFA 658
$3.68 $3.68
-68.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.86 F CFA 484
$4.66 $4.66
-81.55%
Eggs
$2.63 F CFA 1,485
$4.20 $4.20
-37.38%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.67 F CFA 9,986
$12.78 $12.78
38.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$21.14 F CFA 11.9K
$12.40 $12.40
70.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.59 F CFA 8,811
$16.90 $16.90
-7.75%
Apples (1kg)
$4.96 F CFA 2,803
$5.23 $5.23
-5.16%
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.66 $1.66
-
Oranges (1kg)
$3.44 F CFA 1,946
$4.33 $4.33
-20.55%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.91 F CFA 2,209
$4.96 $4.96
-21.17%
Potato (1kg)
$1.60 F CFA 906
$2.82 $2.82
-43.26%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 F CFA 1,018
$3.11 $3.11
-42.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.36 F CFA 771
$2.19 $2.19
-37.90%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.39 F CFA 786
$2.26 $2.26
-38.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.41 F CFA 797
$10.35 $10.35
-86.38%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.15 F CFA 3,472
$14.81 $14.81
-58.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 F CFA 858
$2.09 $2.09
-27.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 F CFA 1,476
$3.65 $3.65
-28.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 F CFA 111
$2.38 $2.38
-91.60%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$64.5 $64.5
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.51 F CFA 286
$3.54 $3.54
-85.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.91 F CFA 516
$1.86 $1.86
-51.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.82 F CFA 4,985
$30.34 $30.34
-70.93%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 F CFA 835
$1.00 $1.00
48.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K F CFA 16.3M
$35.5K $35.5K
-18.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1K F CFA 18.2M
$25.9K $25.9K
24.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$185 F CFA 104.7K
$222 $222
-16.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.19 F CFA 14.8K
$61.1 $61.1
-57.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.7 F CFA 31.4K
$74.7 $74.7
-25.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.2 F CFA 35.1K
$44.49 $44.49
39.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.10 F CFA 5,141
$22.35 $22.35
-59.28%
Cinema Ticket
$7.14 F CFA 4,037
$15.03 $15.03
-52.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$35.36 F CFA 20.0K
$1,431 $1,431
-97.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,120 F CFA 3.5M
$25.9K $25.9K
-76.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.56 F CFA 20.1K
$53.6 $53.6
-33.63%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.2 F CFA 30.6K
$43.46 $43.46
24.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.5 F CFA 50.0K
$91.5 $91.5
-3.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105 F CFA 59.2K
$114 $114
-7.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$351 F CFA 198.3K
$1,633 $1,633
-78.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$235 F CFA 132.6K
$1,328 $1,328
-82.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 F CFA 788.2K
$2,606 $2,606
-46.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$774 F CFA 437.2K
$2,206 $2,206
-64.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$894 F CFA 505.0K
$3,323 $3,323
-73.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$267 F CFA 150.7K
$2,653 $2,653
-89.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$613 F CFA 346.4K
$4,306 $4,306
-85.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12
6.21
93.24%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Burkina Faso: September 7, 2026

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $174 in Burkina Faso vs $1,604 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $347 in Ouagadougou and $1,360 in Columbia, TN.

Average salary: $612 in Burkina Faso vs $4,526 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 822% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 436% more in United States.

Salaries are 640% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Burkina Faso vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burkina Faso more expensive than United States?
Burkina Faso is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 412% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Burkina Faso, contributing to the overall 412% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Burkina Faso or in United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Burkina Faso, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Burkina Faso or to United States?
Burkina Faso is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

Burkina Faso vs other spots: cost of living compared

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